Behind the Scenes at Fort Collins Brewery, Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado was founded in 2003 when its current owners purchased defunct brewery H.C. Berger. In 2010, the brewery moved a mile down the road into a new and expansive space. (The original location is now rented out to fledgling saison-centric brewery, Funkwerks.)

Traditional German-style lagers have always been a mainstay of the brewery, two; Kidd Black Lager, an earthy schwarzbier, and Z Smoked Amber Lager, a rauchbier, are still popular year-round choices. But over the years, the brewery has greatly expanded its repertoire beyond German lagers. The herbaceous and bitter Rocky Mountain IPA and the tangy and quenching Tom's Pomegranate Wheat have both become popular core products. A raft of seasonal, specialty, and experimental beers are also brewed. Depending upon the season, you might come across anything from a sticky sweet wheat wine to a powerful and ashy imperial black IPA.

The new location has a bright and colorful tasting room, with many taps pouring core, seasonal, and experimental offerings. Bottled product, growlers to go, glassware, and other merchandise are offered as well as tasting flights and pints.

Another new addition to the Fort Collins Brewing Co. portfolio is a spacious beer-centric restaurant called Gravity Ten Twenty that's owned and operated by the brewery. Both the tasting room and restaurant offer great views of the working brewery.

Fort Collins Brewery

About the Author: Lee Williams grew up in Bristol, England and now resides in Denver, Colorado. In 2009 he founded Hoptopia, a beer review website, iPhone and Android app. He is currently penning his first book, titled Beer Lover's Colorado; due for publication in October. You can follow him on Facebook or on Twitter at @Hoptopia.